Connection box for electrical terminals



pt 2 1944. R. l. SCHONITZER ET AL: 2,359,053

coumacnon BOX FOR ELECTRICAL TERMINALS.

' Filed Feb. 25, 1942 IN vewrons: RUDOLPH I. ScHo/vrrzER Eoww L. ALLEN B HAII'ULD B. Mus-rER -%5 a- A oRA/sYs.

Patented Sept. 26, 1944 UNITED STATES Pl flTENT OFFICE GONNEGTION BOX FOR ELECTRICAL TERNIINALS Rudolph I. Schonitzer, Shaker Heights, and Edwin 'L. Allen and Harold B. Muster, Cleveland Heights, Ohio; said Allen and said Muster assignors to said Schonitzer Application February 23, 1942, Serial No. 432,006

Claims.

The invention relates generally to a novel and improved connection box assembly for use in electric power distribution. It particularly re,- lates to an assembly of this nature for housing terminals whereby a plurality of subordinate power circuits are tapped off from amain circuit.

The object of the invention is to provide a connection box which is moisture-tight .and

weatherproof, but which can be constructed more rapidly and cheaply, and from lighter weight material than connection boxes now available.

Another object of the invention is to provide a box assembly of the nature indicated which is characterized by improved mechanical properties as a'result of the structural features to be described hereinbelow.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from a description of one embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view,.partially broken away, of a connection or outlet box assembly Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 .of J

Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of a box and associated base member, representing yet another modification of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows. Before the present invention is described in detail it is to be understood thatsuch invention is not limited to the details of construction and/or the specific arrangement of 'partsherein illustrated and/or described, as the invention obviously may take other forms. It also isto be understood that the 'phraseology or terminology herein employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. a

The connection box assembly representing the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 comprises four main components identifiable as an outer cover ll,an inner cover 12, a box I 3 anda base member 114. These members are preferably formed from a deep drawing type of low carbon, low manganese sheet steel by a pressing or stamping operation, but obviously any type of sheet metal of adequate physical properties may be used, provided it is ductile enough to Withstand the amount of deformation required by the structural design.

Asseen in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the box I3 is of substantially rectangular sectional contour in all three dimensional planes, though slightly rounded at the meeting zones of the vertical walls witheach other and with the bottom wall, as a matter of practical convenience in facilitating the forming operation. Around its upper edge portion the box wall is outturned to form a flange l5, which flange is further provided around its outer edge, with a downwardly opening channeled portion Hi which is peripherally continuous, though somewhat enlarged in lateral extent at spaced locations I1 to permit insertion of conventional clinch nut-s I8 (Fig. 2) which are provided with threaded bores IQ for a purpose which will appear. The flange l5 and channel [6. in conjunction provide an upwardly stepped contour.

A stamped metal band 20 is inserted within, and in circumferential contact with, the upper portions of the box walls (Fig. 2), being attached thereto by welding or otherwise. The upper edge 2| of said band extends above horizontal flange I5, and is preferably crimped over to form a-portion of double thickness, and to provide a spacing shoulder 22 for initial positioning of the band before welding. The depression or upwardly opening channel extending peripherally between the edge portion 2| and the neighboring steppedup wall of channel l6 carries therein a filler strip or gasket 23 which, as will appear, cooperates 1 with the inner cover member in providing a weatherproof sealing fit when the box assembly isclosed.

Extending longitudinally of the interior of'box I3 is a bridge member 24 which is conveniently formed from a metal stamping having at its mid section a slightly channeled contour comprising an upper planar portion 25, and downturned, lateral flanges 26. Near their ends, these flanges 26 are enlarged to form angular supporting wings 21 which, at their terminal extremities, are bent outwardly to form ears 28 which may be conveniently welded or otherwise attached to the inner surface of the box walls.

A stripor plate-of electrically non-conducting. material 29 is attached to the upper surface of bridge 24, and carries, near one end thereof,

propriatenumber of subordinate circuits.

by convenience or necessity, 'and,.as a precautionagainst moisture, a conventional packing gland is inserted in each wall aperture around the conduit or conduits extending therethrough.

The inner cover member I2 resembles a shallow, downturned tray which is complementary to, and conforms in contour with, box I3. Its pe-.

ripheral edge portion is upturned, as seen at 35 (Fig. 2), thereby presenting a rounded edge for pressure contact with the packing strip 23. This inner cover is leakproof or imperforate, so as to provide an airtight seal when closing pressure is applied in a manner now to be described.

The outer cover II is generally designed to overlie and bring pressure to bear upon the inner cover. It isaccordingly similar in general contour to the inner cover, with'some exceptions now to be detailed. Surrounding its outer edge is a peripheral step comprising a horizontal portion 36 and a vertical portion 31, this step overlying, and exteriorly surrounding the channel I6 on. the flange of box I3 when the outer cover II is in closed position. At spaced locations in registry with the threaded bores I9 in clinch nuts I8 hereinabove described, the outer cover is pro: vided with apertures 38 to receive the shanks of screws 39, said screws being threaded to fit bores I9.

The box and the inner and outer covers are assembled in airtight relationship as follows. The inner cover II is placed on the box I3 with the lower edge of the inner cover in peripheral registry and contact with gasket 23. The upper cover II is then superimposed upon the lower 'cover so that apertures 38 in the upper cover are in registry with apertures IS in the clinch nuts carried by box I3. Screws 39 are then inserted through apertures 38 and into the threaded bores I9, and the screws are drawn up until the horizontal step portion 36 is in contact with the horizontal component of channel I6. This operation causes the peripheral edge of the inner cover I2 to be imbedded in gasket. 23 sufficiently to make the enclosure airtight.

The base member I4 will now be described; It consists of an H-shaped member formed of sheet metal,. comprising two end members, indicated generally'by reference numeral 42, .underlying the ends of box 13, and a connecting member 43 which is integral with the end members 42, and which underlies, longitudinally, the body of the box. Said end members project beyond the sides of the box, and are provided with upwardly directed wing portions 44 along their innermost edges, and with end flanges 45, also upwardly directed, and contacting the end walls of the box. The wings 44' have laterally extending, connecting tabs 45 which are disposed to lie in contact with the side walls of the box, and to be welded thereto as at 41, and the'end flanges '45, in contact with the end walls of the box-may also be welded, or otherwise connected, to thebox, as at 48. The four end parts of the end members now familiar.

band 20 and its reinforced 42 are perforated at 49, to permit insertion therethrough of the shanks of bolts, studs, or other means whereby the assembly may be attached each end of the box is provided with a base brack- V et 50 which is placed transversely beneath each end of boxl3 and projects laterally therefrom a sufiicient distance to provide upturned wings 5I and end flanges 52. Flanges 52 are welded to the ends of box I3 as previously described in connection with the first embodiment, and connecting tabs 53 are carried by wings 5| for attachment to the side walls of box I3. In this embodiment a portion of the bottom of the box may be raised slightly as at 54, to permit the general box bottom to be in coplanar registry with the base brackets 50. a

Additional support may likewise be provided at spaced locations along the length of box I 3 (Figs. 6 and 7) by cross brackets 55 which run transversely beneath the box, projecting laterally therebeyond at each end to provide wings 56 and connecting tabs 51, the function of each being The horizontal portions of the projecting ends of brackets 50 and 55 are provided with apertures 58 for convenience of attachment as aforesaid. In the use of bracket 55, the'bottom of box I3 may be slightly raised in the neighborhood of the bracket, (see Fig. 6) to avoid projection of the bracket below the level of the'box bottom.

If desired the outer cover II may be provided with a. raised escutcheon portion 60 which carries a name plate 6| or device of similar character. Insuch case, said'cover may be provided with inwardly upset, annular apertures, sufficient metal being thus provided, as at 62 (Fig. 2) to carry a thread for screws 63 which serves to retain the name plate in place. a

The assembly, constructed as described, may be fabricated and assembled both rapidly and economically, using only aminimum amount of metal. A number of factors contribute to supply adequate structural properties, including the flange I5 and channel I6 which, in conjunction, constitute a peripheral strengthening step; the edge 2|; the bridge member 24; the upturned edge of the inner cover; the stepped edgeof the outer cover, and the wingstrengthened base, all of which features cooperate to afford a strength and rigidity which is more than adequate. The enclosure is sufficiently weathertightto protect the various electric'alterminals and taps against corrosion, and is therefore particularly suitable where corrosive atmospheres may be encountered, for instance in ships, in installations near the ocean, or under familiar industrial conditions.

, What we claim is:

1. A box assembly of the character described; comprising a sheet metal structure having a bot tom wall and a peripherally continuous upstanding wall, said upstanding wall being provided at its upper end with a continuous flange having an to maintain its peripheral edge in sealing contact with said gasket means. i

2. A box assembly of the character described, comprising a sheet metal structure having a bottom wall and a peripherally continuous upstanding wall, said upstanding wall being provided at its upper end with a continuous flange having an inner out-turned portion and an intermediate upturned portion and an outer out-turned portion, a continuous sheet metal band secured to the inner surface of said wall at its upper end,

and having a portion projecting above the level of said inner out-turned flange portion, gasket means of endless form seated on said inner outturned flange portion and confined between said upturned flange portion and the upwardly projecting portion of said band, an inner sheet metal cover of imperforate form having a down-turned continuous peripheral edge for sealing contact with said gasket means, an outer sheet metal cover of imperforate form overlying said inner cover member and said outer out-turned flange portion, and means for firmly securing said outer cover member to said outer out-turned flange portion, said outer cover member when secured to said flange portion having pressure engagement with said inner cover member so as to maintain its peripheral edge in sealing contact with said gasket means.

3. A box assembly of the character described, comprising a sheet metal structure having a bottom wall and a peripherally continuous upstanding wall, said upstanding wall being provided at its upper end with a continuous flange having an inner out-turned portion and an intermediate upturned portion and an outer out-turned portion, a continuous sheet metal band secured to the inner surface of said wall at its upper end and projecting above the level of said inner outturned flange portion, said band having a continuous shoulder intermediate its upper and lower edges seating on said inner out-turned flange .portion, gasket means of endless form seated on said inner out-turned flange portion and confined between said upturned flange portion and the upwardly projecting portion of said band, an inner sheet metal cover of imperforate form having a, down-turned continuous peripheral edge for sealing contact with said gasket means, an outer sheet metal cover of im-perforate form overlying said inner cover member and said outer out-turned flange portion, and means for firmly securing said outer cover member to said outer out-turned flange portion, said outer cover member, when secured to such flange portion, having pressure engagement with said inner cover member so as to maintain its peripheral edge in sealing contact with said gasket means.

4. A box assembly of the character described, comprising a sheet metal structure having a bottom wall and a peripherally continuous upstanding wall, said upstanding wall being provided at its upper end with a continuous flange having an inner out-turned portion and an intermediate upturned portion and an outer out-turned apertured portion, gasket means of endless form seated on said inner out-turned flange portion, an inner sheet metal cover of imperforate form having a down-turned continuous peripheral edge for sealing contact with said gasket means, an outer sheet metal cover of imperforate form overlying said inner cover member and having its peripheral edge portion overlying said outer out-turned flange portion, the peripheral edge portion of said outer cover member having apertures in registry with the apertures of said outer out-turned flange portion, and means seated in said registering apertures for firmly securing said outer cover member to said outer out-turned flange portion, said outer cover member, when secured to such flange portion, having pressure engagement with said inner cover member so as to maintain its peripheral edge in sealing contact with said gasket means.

5. A box assembly of the character described, comprising a sheet metal structure having a bottom wall and a peripherally continuous upstanding wall, said upstanding wall being provided at its upper end with a continuous flange having an inner out-turned portion and an intermediate upturned portion and an outer out-turned apertured portion, gasket means of endless form seated on said inner out-turned flange portion, an inner sheet metal cover of imperforate form having a down-turned continuous peripheral edge for sealing contact with said gasket means, an outer sheet metal cover of imperforate form overlying said inner cover member and having its peripheral edge portion overlying said outer out-turned flange portion, the peripheral edge portion of said outer cover member having apertures in registry with the apertures of said outer out-turned flange portion, threaded elements in the apertures of said outer out-turned flange portion, and screws extending through the apertures of said outer cover member and anchored in the threaded elements of said outer out-turned flange portion for firmly securing said outer cover member to said outer out-turned flange portion, said outer cover member, when secured to such flange portion, having pressure engagement with said inner cover member so as to maintain its peripheral edge in sealing contact with said gasket means.

RUDOLPH I. SCHONITZER.

EDWIN L. ALLEN.

HAROLD B. MUSTER. 

